Celtic are having to pick up the pieces after their disappointing Europa League exit against Zenit.

The 3-0 second leg defeat to the Russians was the exact opposite of a stellar showing only seven days previous.

Brendan Rodgers is optimistic about his side's future but admits they must improve if they are to taste success on the Continent.

That showing led to Record Sport columnist to take a deeper look at the recruitment drive under the Hoops boss and asking how many of his 16 signings can be deemed as successes.

We've taken that on and dished out a rating for every signing the Celtic boss has made since taking over in May 2016.

Moussa Dembele

Dembele has endured a tough campaign (Image: SNS Group)

The Frenchman enjoyed a dream first season with the Hoops and his 32-goal haul had some of the best teams in Europe keeping tabs on his form. This campaign has been a struggle with injuries and speculation over his future blighting Dembele's second year in green and white. At his best he can be a handful but inconsistency has hampered the 21-year-old. No matter what he is eventually sold for there’s no doubt the £500k spent remains an absolute bargain. 8

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Cristian Gamboa

Gamboa hasn't made the grade at Parkhead (Image: SNS Group)

The Costa Rican was brought in to challenge Mikael Lustig, but the former West Brom man has failed to convince he has the qualities to become a regular starter. His best asset is his pace, but a tortuous night against Bayern's Kingsley Coman in the Champions League highlighted his limitations. Gamboa has only played three times this season. 4

Scott Sinclair

Sinclair is trying to recapture his form

Brendan Rodgers' former Chelsea youth star was reborn working with his mentor and enjoyed a clean sweep of individual awards last year. The winger had defenders on the back foot as he scored 25 goals en route to a historic Invincible Treble. Like Dembele, Sinclair has struggled in replicating his debut season exploits and has found himself on the bench in recent games. 8

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Kolo Toure

Toure's veteran presence was vital (Image: SNS)

The former Arsenal and Manchester City star worked with Rodgers at Liverpool and his experience was vital in helping Celtic reach the Champions League for the first time in three seasons. He barely featured after a poor showing in the 2-0 defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach, but his influence in the dressing room was priceless. He is now part of the coaching staff at Parkhead. 7

Dorus de Vries

De Vries has failed to impress (Image: SNS Group)

The Dutchman's reputation as a sweeper-keeper was the reason behind the ex-Dunfermline man's arrival, but his ability to keep the ball out of the net with his hands has been the problem. A nightmare showing in the 7-0 defeat against Barcelona in the Champions League led to Craig Gordon winning his place back. De Vries is back in after Gordon's injury and was at fault for Zenit's second in Thursday's Euro flop. He's been anything but convincing. 3

Patrick Roberts

Patrick Roberts is on the comeback trail (Image: SNS)

Roberts was already at Celtic on an 18-month loan when Rodgers arrived so the Irishman cannot claim full credit for the Manchester City winger. However, Roberts impressed so much that he was brought back on a further season-long loan. The 21-year-old's season has been curtailed by a troublesome hamstring injury, but he's on the mend and his magic in the final third has been sorely missed. 8

Eboue Kouassi

Kouassi is lacking consistency (Image: SNS Group)

A strange one. Kouassi showed flashes of his obvious ability during pre-season games against Lyon and Sunderland. He barely featured in the first half of the season and a loan deal away from Glasgow was mooted – by Rodgers. The Ivorian was impressive in the 1-0 home win against Zenit, but was so poor in the return and got hooked at half-time. He looks a red-card risk with his wild tackles and his passing at times can be sloppy. Some way still to go. 5

Kundai Benyu

Benyu impressed Rodgers with his performance against Lyon

The former Ipswich winger failed to impress Mick McCarthy at Portman Road and joined Celtic on a free transfer. The 20-year-old looked decent in his friendly appearances and Rodgers admitted his original plan to loan him straight away would be revised. Benyu did make the move to Oldham in January, but still has some way to go if he is to prove he can become a regular pick at Parkhead. 3

Olivier Ntcham

Ntcham carried the fight to Zenit (Image: SNS Group)

Ntcham has been the one player who has joined since the successful first recruitment class who is thriving. His early games in green and white were blighted with a habit for Hollywood passes, but he has grown into the role of playing alongside Scott Brown in the engine room. He has power and skill and was the one player leading the fight against Zenit on Thursday. He has started almost every game in the last two months and looks an important player moving forward. 7

Jonny Hayes

Hayes struggled before a season-ending injury (Image: SNS Group)

The former Aberdeen winger worked with Rodgers at Reading, but he has struggled to make a real impact at Celtic. The Republic of Ireland man looked unsure at times and hasn't played with the same freedom that made him such a hit at Pittodrie. A broken leg suffered against Dundee ended his season and it will be a long way back for the 30-year-old. 4

Odsonne Edouard

Edouard has shown flashes of his obvious ability (Image: SNS Group)

The Frenchman arrived from Paris Saint-Germain to provide competition for Dembele and Leigh Griffiths. He did more than that in December as he leapfrogged the pair for playing time after a hat-trick against Motherwell. He isn't quite there in terms of holding the ball up, but there are flashes which point to him having a real future in the game. A £7million option to buy will likely be too rich for Celtic's tastes, but Edoaurd has proved a decent addition. 6

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Jack Hendry

Hendry has a bright future (Image: SNS Group)

The former Dundee stopper has a lot of the qualities that Rodgers covets. He's quick and loves to build from the back rather than hoofing it downfield. A tough debut against Kilmarnock showed he has ways to go but there is optimism that Hendry can become a Celtic regular. But European class? Too early to say 3

Scott Bain

Bain is waiting on his chance (Image: SNS)

The Dundee keeper was on loan at Hibs after getting the Celtic call and he must feel he should replace de Vries in absence of Gordon. He could get his chance in the upcoming games. 2

Marvin Compper

Compper has still to debut (Image: SNS Group)

The forgotten man at Celtic. The veteran German defender was signed from RB Leipzig in January but he hasn't featured due to a calf complaint. To add insult to injury, Compper wasn't eligible for the Europa League anyway, at a time when the backline needed solidified. Sutton called it an "odd" signing. 2

Lewis Morgan

Morgan will return to Celtic in the summer (Image: SNS Group)

The winger was lavished with praise by Rodgers after Celtic's victory over St Mirren in the Scottish Cup last season. The Hoops boss followed up his kind words by signing the Scotland U21 international in January, before being loaned straight back to the Buddies. He has all the skills but talents such as Ryan Christie have failed to make inroads with the Premiership champions. A man to take Celtic to the next level? Again, the jury’s out. 2

Charly Musonda

Musonda didn't start in either Europa League game (Image: REUTERS)

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Musonda was signed to much fanfare and his 18-month loan from Chelsea follows on from a similar deal involving Roberts. A magic assist for Callum McGregor aside, Musonda has yet to really come alive with Celtic. Sutton reckons it's worrying that he already appears to be the third choice for the No.10 role. One concern is how slight he is. At times he looks like a youth player getting game time at the end of a season. He is supremely talented but has some way to go. 5

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